Editors Note: This is a great, great post by a new author of mine. If you have any questions for him, let him know in the comments.

The Guards position is becoming more and more important in today’s NFL.Some of the best rushing teams and best O-lines in league history have had elite guard. A guy like Carl Nicks, or Ben Grubbs can instantly improve the play and toughness of the offensive line. Below is a ranking and analysis of the top guard prospects of the 2012 draft class. This post will also include projected draft position and links to their play. Many of these players have potential to be impact players in the NFL. Without further delay here are the top ten offensive guard prospects of the 2012 NFL Draft.

This year’s offensive guard class is loaded with good players from top to bottom and has possibly the best guard prospect in the past ten years to top it off. After the jump see all you need to know about this fantastic class of guards.

I’m going on the record now, the worst thing the Browns could possibly do is to trade up for Robert Griffin. He will just be another talented young QB with no weapons to work with that will FAIL MISERABLY. Taking an elite receiver like Blackmon will actually give whoever their QB is a chance.

Tampa is in a good situation here since its unlikely any defensive players are taken in the top 4. Claiborne fills the biggest need for the Bucs and is the top talent available who’s not Trent Richardson.

Today I will continue ranking the 2012 NFL Draft prospects. This post will look at the guards of the 2012 NFL Draft. I am also pleased to announce that within the next week, I will introduce two new writers to the site. They are both very, very knowledgeable and will provide the site with some different types of posts.

1. David DeCastro, Stanford – DeCastro is the best guard prospect to come around in a long time and he has the potential to be a top 3 or 4 guard in the NFL. He should likely be a top 15 draft pick.

2. Peter Konz, Wisconsin – While Konz is the #1 center prospect, he is also the #2 guard prospect in the class. He has great feet, is very strong, and has all the intangibles. He should be a first round draft pick, and possibly top 20.

3. Cordy Glenn, Georgia – Glenn has all the tools to be a great guard but he needs to work on finishing blocks and playing to the whistle. He still has tons of talent and that should keep him in the first two rounds of the draft.

4. Kevin Zeitler, Wisconsin – What Zeitler lacks in athleticism, he makes up for in toughness and dedication. He is an excellent pass blocker and is good at pulling. He seems like a 2nd to 3rd round draft pick at this time.

5. Brandon Washington, Miami – Washington has tons of athleticism, finishes blocks, plays to the whistle, and is loaded with potential. He decided to leave Miami and enter the draft and it makes sense. He should be a 2nd to 3rd round draft pick in April.

Well I have gathered enough information to publish another mock draft. This one is of the two round variety. Anywhere you see a ? next to team needs, that means I still need help with those teams. Once I gather all that information, I can begin expanding the draft to 3 and 4 rounds.

Round 1

1. Indianapolis (2-14) – Team Needs: QB, OG, OC, 2CB, WR, SS, TE, DE, LB, RB – Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford – This is an absolute no brainer and no explanation is really needed.2. St. Louis (2-14) – 2OT, 2WR, 2OLB, FS, CB, DT, OC, RB, FB – Matt Kalil, OT, USC – This pick is basically a no brainer. The Rams will consider Justin Blackmon but a franchise LT is more important and more valuable than a franchise WR.3. Minnesota (3-13) – LT, CB, WR, S, OG, 2LB, DT, FB, RB3 – Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State – If Kalil is taken by the Rams, this pick will also be a no brainer. Blackmon is a beast and would give Jake Locker a franchise WR.

4. Cleveland (4-12) – QB, WR, RT, DE, CB, OLB, RB, OG, FS, DT, K – Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor – Again, another no brainer. If Blackmon is off the board, the Browns will have to take the 2nd best QB in the draft and someone that fits perfectly in Pat Shurmur’s West Coast offense. He has great accuracy, is very mobile, and has great intelligence.

5. Tampa Bay (4-12) – 2CB, 2LB, RT, WR, OC, RB, LG, FB, DT, QB, K – Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU – Another easy pick. The Bucs biggest need is finding a CB and Claiborne is the best CB in the draft class and could be better in coverage than Patrick Peterson was in coverage.

Note: Even though it foucuses on the Pittsburgh Steelers, this is worth the read for Non-Steelers fans as well because it gives some insight into draft stock and some minor details on over 20 prospects (25 to be exact).

This is a draft piece focusing on key players of the Pittsburgh Steelers that will likely be retiring soon (within the next two years). I will first talk about the player who is retiring soon, then mention a possible 2012 replacement and a possible 2013 draft replacement. Or I will mention if the replacement is already possibly on the team.

Note: Make sure you have time to read all of it as it is a little over 2000 words.

The Offensive tackle position is loaded with talent this year. Their are two elite LT prospects and plenty more good RT and LT prospects as well. I could see up to five first rounders right now.

1. Matt Kalil, OT, USC: Kalil is the best LT prospect to come along in a long time. He is the reason that Tyron Smith played RT last year and he has no flaws to his game. He should be a top five pick.

2. Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford: Martin in a normal year would be the first tackle taken. He is the best pass blocker in this draft but his run blocking is behind Kalil’s by a wide margin. He should be a top 10 pick.

3. Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa: Reiff looks like the best RT prospect in this draft. He is physical in the run game and above average in the passing game. He should be a first round pick.

4. Kelechi Osemele, OT/OG, Iowa State: Osemele is either a RT or a guard at the next level but he is a beast. He is incredible in the run game and is a very good pass blocker as well. He is right on Reiff’s heels and could pass him any week. He could be a top 15 pick when its all said and done.

5. Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State: Datko is a good pass blocker and an above average run blocker. Right now I have him rated as a second round prospect with a stock up arrow.